Russian Literature 1
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
This course is the first stage of a three-year program which introduces students to the historical evolution and the main phenomena and authors of Russian literature from the 18th to the 20th century. It deals with Russian literature from the second half of the eighteenth to the first half of the nineteenth century and therefore it includes world-renowned authors at the origin of the great Russian novel such as Alexander Pushkin, Nikolaj Gogol', Mikhail Lermontov and others. Addressing students who are only at the beginning of the learning path of the Russian language, it presents the literary texts in translation, introducing the students to the analysis of the artistic text in mediated form.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: outlines of the history of Russia from the second half of the eighteenth to the first half of the nineteenth century and interpretation of the relationship between social and literary dynamics in the light of the country's situation. Main authors and literary movements; evolution or the novel. Applying knowledge and understanding: the ability to read and contextualise fundamental works of Eighteenth and Nineteenth-century Russian literature in Italian. Reading passages of texts examined during the course in Italian. Understanding of historical, cultural, and social implications of literary texts; placing authors, movements and works in their context; recognizing and explaining each author's literary themes and strategies.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The title of the course is: "Cities of Russia: Russian History, Culture and Literature from the Beginning to the first Half of the Eighteenth century on the background of the main cities of the country". The course is structured in 3 parts:
Part 1: Novgorod, Kiev, Sarai Moscow, Sankt-Petersburg. Introduction to Russian culture and literature from its origins to the eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century"
Part 2: "I love you Peter's creature, I love your elegant strong look": Russian literature of the Peterburg period from Lomonosov to joung Pushkin"
Quote 3: "Wonderful town is Mirgorod!": from Pushkin to Gogol' and Lermontov, Russian literature of the third, fourth and fifth decade of the 19th century"
The course provides 9 credits. It is not possible to acquire only 6.
The course deals with one of the richest phases of Russian literature, the first half of the nineteenth century, indicating the guidelines of its evolutionary path through the different literary genres. The first part will analyze the general features of the cultural and literary evolution in Russia from its origins and above all between the eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century, with particular attention the cuktural and symbolic meaning of the capitals of the different state formations).
In the second part, we will focus on the most important authors (Chulkov, Fonvizin, Derzhavin, Radishchev, Karamzin, the young Pushkin) of the 18th-Century and 19th-Century literature and on the reflections of the urban theme in such works as "The Comely Cook", "Felica", "Poor Liza", "Eugene Onegin", "The Bronze Horsman". Finally, in the third part, we will examine the city theme in older Pushkin's, Lermontov's and Gogol''s verse and prose works ("The Queen of Spades", "A Hero of Our Times", "Mirgorod", "Peterburg Tales", "Dead Souls").
Normally the course program is valid until September 2027. Students are invited to always contact the teacher for clarifications.
Part 1: Novgorod, Kiev, Sarai Moscow, Sankt-Petersburg. Introduction to Russian culture and literature from its origins to the eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century"
Part 2: "I love you Peter's creature, I love your elegant strong look": Russian literature of the Peterburg period from Lomonosov to joung Pushkin"
Quote 3: "Wonderful town is Mirgorod!": from Pushkin to Gogol' and Lermontov, Russian literature of the third, fourth and fifth decade of the 19th century"
The course provides 9 credits. It is not possible to acquire only 6.
The course deals with one of the richest phases of Russian literature, the first half of the nineteenth century, indicating the guidelines of its evolutionary path through the different literary genres. The first part will analyze the general features of the cultural and literary evolution in Russia from its origins and above all between the eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century, with particular attention the cuktural and symbolic meaning of the capitals of the different state formations).
In the second part, we will focus on the most important authors (Chulkov, Fonvizin, Derzhavin, Radishchev, Karamzin, the young Pushkin) of the 18th-Century and 19th-Century literature and on the reflections of the urban theme in such works as "The Comely Cook", "Felica", "Poor Liza", "Eugene Onegin", "The Bronze Horsman". Finally, in the third part, we will examine the city theme in older Pushkin's, Lermontov's and Gogol''s verse and prose works ("The Queen of Spades", "A Hero of Our Times", "Mirgorod", "Peterburg Tales", "Dead Souls").
Normally the course program is valid until September 2027. Students are invited to always contact the teacher for clarifications.
Prerequisites for admission
The course will be held in Italian in the first semester. Students are kindly requested to sign up using the app EasyLesson.
In case of classroom overcrowding, the lesson will also be held by streaming on the Teams platform.
In case of classroom overcrowding, the lesson will also be held by streaming on the Teams platform.
Teaching methods
The course will be held in Italian and will be presented through lectures and occasional student presentations in the classroom.
Teaching Resources
The course has a website on the MyAriel online teaching platform, to which reference is made for the materials indicated here as provided by the teacher. In addition to the course notes, students will have to prepare for the exam:
1) Textbook for the study of Russian history: N.V. Riasanovsky, "History of Russia", or other, optional, free consultation on the parts relating to the period presented;
2) Textbook for the study of the history of Russian literature: "Storia della civiltà letteraria russa", ed. by M. Colucci, R. Picchio, vol. 1, Torino, Utet, 1997, (pp. 226-229, pp. 265-299, 304-329, 347-357, 367-369, 389-395, 478-481, 404-433, 484-524 present in the course site on MyAiriel) or other to buy, e.g. Guido Carpi, Storia della letteratura russa. Da Pietro il Grande alla Rivoluzione d'ottobre, Roma, Carocci;
3) "Slides by the teacher", used in class during the course, useful for revision (on Ariel);
4) Literary texts and critical passages in translation downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform;
5) At least one book of each author:
- Aleksandr Puškin: Evgenij Onegin, Povesti Belkina, Pikovaja dama, Kapitanskaja docka;
- Michail Lermontov, Geroj nasego vremeni, Demon
- Nikolaj Gogol', Mirgorod, Peterburgskie povesti, Mertvye dusi
6) At least one of the followin critical texts: Ju. Lotman, Il testo e la storia (The text and the history. Pushkin's "Evgenij Onegin"), Bologna, Il Mulino, 1985 (present in ARIEL); Ju. Lotman, Pushkin: Life of Alexandr Sergeevich Pushkin; V. Nabokov, Nikolaj Gogol'; A. D'Amelia, Introduzione a Gogol', Laterza 1995; Abram Terz, Nell'ombra di Gogol' Garzanti, 1980 (su ARIEL) V teni Gogolja; In the Shadow of Gogol', Jurij Man, Poetika Gogolja; Carla Solivetti, Strategie narrative in Gogol, Lithos 2015.
Students whose mother tongue is not Italian can read the textbook, literary texts and critical literature in the original language or in their mother tongue (after agreement with the teacher)
The program for "non-attending" students is the same as that for attending students. If necessary, additional critical readings can be requested from the teacher.
1) Textbook for the study of Russian history: N.V. Riasanovsky, "History of Russia", or other, optional, free consultation on the parts relating to the period presented;
2) Textbook for the study of the history of Russian literature: "Storia della civiltà letteraria russa", ed. by M. Colucci, R. Picchio, vol. 1, Torino, Utet, 1997, (pp. 226-229, pp. 265-299, 304-329, 347-357, 367-369, 389-395, 478-481, 404-433, 484-524 present in the course site on MyAiriel) or other to buy, e.g. Guido Carpi, Storia della letteratura russa. Da Pietro il Grande alla Rivoluzione d'ottobre, Roma, Carocci;
3) "Slides by the teacher", used in class during the course, useful for revision (on Ariel);
4) Literary texts and critical passages in translation downloadable during the course from the Ariel platform;
5) At least one book of each author:
- Aleksandr Puškin: Evgenij Onegin, Povesti Belkina, Pikovaja dama, Kapitanskaja docka;
- Michail Lermontov, Geroj nasego vremeni, Demon
- Nikolaj Gogol', Mirgorod, Peterburgskie povesti, Mertvye dusi
6) At least one of the followin critical texts: Ju. Lotman, Il testo e la storia (The text and the history. Pushkin's "Evgenij Onegin"), Bologna, Il Mulino, 1985 (present in ARIEL); Ju. Lotman, Pushkin: Life of Alexandr Sergeevich Pushkin; V. Nabokov, Nikolaj Gogol'; A. D'Amelia, Introduzione a Gogol', Laterza 1995; Abram Terz, Nell'ombra di Gogol' Garzanti, 1980 (su ARIEL) V teni Gogolja; In the Shadow of Gogol', Jurij Man, Poetika Gogolja; Carla Solivetti, Strategie narrative in Gogol, Lithos 2015.
Students whose mother tongue is not Italian can read the textbook, literary texts and critical literature in the original language or in their mother tongue (after agreement with the teacher)
The program for "non-attending" students is the same as that for attending students. If necessary, additional critical readings can be requested from the teacher.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, generally in Italian, which includes questions asked by the teacher, and interactions between teacher and student. The interview lasts approximately 20-30 minutes. It aims to verify the knowledge of the read texts (works presented during the course and personal readings), the ability to contextualize historically and culturally authors and works, the ability to explain, the precision in the use of specific terminology, and the ability to critical and personal reflection on the proposed themes. The final grade is expressed out of thirty, and the student has the right to refuse it (in this case he/she will be recorded as "withdrawn")
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
From 12th February 2025 in my room, or on Teams (Generale - Ricevimento studenti e laureandi prof. Laura Rossi <4145b245.unimi2013.onmicrosoft.com@emea.teams.ms>) on Wednesdays: 2 - 5 p.m. (Check my ARIEL pages for any temporary changes).
Piazza S. Alessandro, 1, Slavistics department, 2nd floor, office